Trades Technician III- Grounds Foreman

Virginia Military Institute; Lexington (VA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Military Institute is seeking a Grounds Maintenance role to oversee day-to-day operations, field preparation, and landscaping tasks. You will manage teams in athletic field upkeep, perform equipment operation, and ensure safety and compliance across maintenance activities on campus.

The role requires handling events, seasonal duties, and on-call responsiveness, with weekend/evening coverage as needed. A Virginia driver’s license and pesticide license eligibility are required.

Qualifications

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, written and communication skills.
• Problem solving skills and adaptability.
• Valid Virginia driver's license with clean driving record required.
• Ability to work from heights and operate a power lift.
• Competent computer skills to include Outlook, Word, Excel, iPad, etc.
• Ability to obtain a pesticide and herbicide license within two years of hire.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Point of Contact for day-to-day operations for the shop when the supervisor is absent, or not available, by attending meetings, providing instructions, ensuring work completion, policies and safety guidelines are followed, and updating supervisor of events, issues, and progress.
• Oversee and work with teams responsible for comprehensive athletic field and grounds maintenance, including field preparation and painting, mowing, edging, seeding, fertilization, and chemical applications.
• Manage landscaping tasks such as tree and hedge trimming or removal, mulching, and irrigation system upkeep.
• Complete event setup and support, furniture relocation, and seasonal duties such as leaf removal and snow and ice removal.
• Operate trucks, tractors, backhoes, front-end loaders, skid steer, mowers, snowplows and other equipment related to preventive and corrective grounds maintenance.
• Assist the supervisor in planning projects, establishing work schedules, ordering supplies, and overseeing contractors.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records, including detailed entries in the work order (CMMS) system and thorough documentation of fertilizer and pesticide applications to ensure accountability and compliance.
• Respond to emails and phone calls in a professional and timely manner.
• Work well independently and with others in a team environment and the public.
• Occasionally work weekends and evenings to support VMI functions and emergencies and on call duties to respond to emergencies and/or weather-related issues.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management such as event preparation and support, inclement weather support, and special project teams.

Job description

Hiring Range: $42,000 - $52,000 Commensurate with Experience

Pay Band: UG

Job Duties

• Serve as the Point of Contact for day-to-day operations for the shop when the supervisor is absent, or not available, by attending meetings, providing instructions, ensuring work completion, policies and safety guidelines are followed, and updating supervisor of events, issues, and progress.
• Oversee and work with teams responsible for comprehensive athletic field and grounds maintenance, including field preparation and painting, mowing, edging, seeding, fertilization, and chemical applications.
• Manage landscaping tasks such as tree and hedge trimming or removal, mulching, and irrigation system upkeep.
• Complete event setup and support, furniture relocation, and seasonal duties such as leaf removal and snow and ice removal.
• Operate trucks, tractors, backhoes, front-end loaders, skid steer, mowers, snowplows and other equipment related to preventive and corrective grounds maintenance.
• Assist the supervisor in planning projects, establishing work schedules, ordering supplies, and overseeing contractors.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records, including detailed entries in the work order (CMMS) system and thorough documentation of fertilizer and pesticide applications to ensure accountability and compliance.
• Respond to emails and phone calls in a professional and timely manner.
• Work well independently and with others in a team environment and the public.
• Occasionally work weekends and evenings to support VMI functions and emergencies and on call duties to respond to emergencies and/or weather-related issues.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management such as event preparation and support, inclement weather support, and special project teams.

Minimum Qualifications

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, written and communication skills.
• Problem solving skills and adaptability.
• Valid Virginia driver's license with clean driving record required.
• Ability to work from heights and operate a power lift.
• Competent computer skills to include Outlook (email), Word, Excel, iPad, etc.
• Ability to obtain a pesticide and herbicide license within two years of hire.

Additional Considerations

• Preferred Qualifications
• Commercial (not for hire) herbicide and pesticide application license or registered
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 and record keeping procedures.
• Bucket Truck, JLG, scissor lift experience.
• Use of a maintenance database (CMMS).
• Technical proficiency in irrigation systems.
• Experience in Arboriculture or Horticulture.

The Virginia Military Institute is an equal opportunity employer. All interested people are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer